Water fountain clock

ABSTRACT

A water fountain clock, including nozzles, each selectively producing water columns in the form of one of numerals zero to nine. The nozzles are connected to flow control means, which are regulated by a timer generating output signals in a certain time sequence. Whereby, the numerals indicated by the water columns are varied in a suitable time sequence, so as to digitally indicate correct time by the water columns.

United States Patent Kawamura et al.

[451 Jan. 18, 1972 [54] WATER FOUNTAIN CLOCK [72] Inventors: Koreichi Kawamura; Yoshiko Kawamura;

Koichi Kawamura, all of No. 66, Jyomyoji, Kamakura, Japan [22] Filed: Mar.3l,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 24,270

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 24, 1969 Japan ..44/39905 [52] US. Cl ..239/l8, 58/2 [51] Int. Cl ..B05b 17/08 [58] Field oiSearch ....239/1l, 12, I7, 18,20,58/1, 58/2 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,594,877 4/1952 Crockett ..239/l8 X 1,977,997 10/1934 Patterson ..239/l8X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 802,076 12/1968 Canada ..,..239/1 8 Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Michael Y. Mar Attorney-McGlew and Toren [5 7] ABSTRACT A water fountain clock, including nozzles, each selectively producing water columns in the form of one of numerals zero to nine. The nozzles are connected to flow control means, which are regulated by a timer generating output signals in a certain time sequence. whereby, the numerals indicated by the water columns are varied in a suitable time sequence, so as to digitally indicate correct time by the water columns.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN: 8 1972 SHEET 2 [1F 6 R Rm 0 MRI T C I. N'h W EHMr N RUN KR u h R mm!- Ik 0 M M Y Ill Y B o J SE ATTORNEY PATENTED JAN 1 8 m2 SHEET 3 [IF 6 power source ATTORNEY PATENTEU M18197? 3535.402

SHEEI 6 UF 6 INVENTOR KO'REICHI Knwnhuln OSl-NKO Knwnnu'lm mun KHWHhuTlH BY 11, My) if M ATTORNEY WATER FOUNTAIN CLOCK This invention relates to a water fountain clock, and more particularly to a composite water fountain which digitally indicates time by figures written by water columns of the fountain.

Known water fountains produce water columns of various shapes, such as a straight column, a sector, a belt, etc. There -are some composite water fountains, in which the shape and the coloring of water columns vary in response to a musical composition.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new kind of composite water fountain, or a water. fountain clock, in which different numerals are selectively written by water columns, so that time is digitally indicated by the water fountain, as in the case of a digital clock indicating time by numerals written by electric lamps. The water fountain clock of the invention is not only practical, but also very attractive, and it can be used for improving the aesthetic atmosphere of a public place.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of nozzles and'regulating means of a water fountain clock which digitally indicates time, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram, showing an embodiment of the control circuit of the water fountain of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram, showing a part of another embodiment of the control circuit of the water fountain clock;

FIG. 4 is a partial circuit diagram, illustrating details of a matrix portion of the control circuit of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, which includes illuminatin lamps;

- FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of one of the simplest control means of the illuminating lamps of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a modification of the water fountain clock'of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is an overall perspective view of the water fountain pond ofFIG. l.

Like parts are designated by like numerals and symbols throughout the drawings.

In FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention uses 21 nozzle groups 11 to 1-21. Each of the nozzle groups consists of one or more individual nozzles. Nozzle groups l-l to lare connected, in series, to manual valves 2-1 to 2-20 and solenoid valves 3-1 to 3-20, respectively. Each of the solenoid valves is connected to a main water pipe 6, which is provided with a water pump 4 driven by a motor 5. In other words, water is selectively delivered to the nozzle groups 1-1 to 1-20 through the series-connected manual valves and solenoid valves, respectively.

The nozzle group 1-21, consisting of a single nozzle, is connected to the main water pipe 6 through a manual valve 2-24, without passing through any solenoid valve.

T o deliver water to a pond, three manual valves 2-21 to 2-23 are connected, in parallel, to the main water pipe 6, so that the discharge water from the valves are directed to the pond through solenoid valves 3-21 to 3-23, which are in series with the manual valves 2-21 to 2-23, respectively. The water level in the pond is regulated by the last mentioned valves and the solenoid valves, so as to control the height of the water column of the nozzle groups 1-1 to 1-21, as measured from the water level in the pond.

FIGS. .2, 3, and 4 illustrate control circuits for selectively actuating the solenoid valves 3-1 to 3-23. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a timer unit, or a parent clock unit 7, includes a timer element 7a and a timer contact 7 which generates a series of timer signals at certain predetermined intervals, for instance, one timer signal in every 5 minutes. In the circuit of FIG. 2, the timer signal from the timer unit 7 actuates a relay 8, and a relay contact 8' of the relay 8 in turn actuates a rotary relay 9-1.

In the illustrated embodiment, six rotary relays 9-1 to 9-6 are used (of which only three are shown). The rotary relay ineludes three contact groups, each having 25 contacts. One of the three contact groups is used for time indication, while the remaining contact groups are used for other purposes, as will be described hereinafter.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8, indicates time in l2-hour cycle at 5- minute intervals. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, there are 144 different indications involved in each cycle. Such indications may be controlled by six rotary relays 9-1 to 9-6 (FIG. 2), each having 24 relay contacts available for the time indication.

Altemately, the six rotary relays 9-1 to 9-6 can be substituted by one rotary relay 9-7 which has 144 relay contacts, as shown in FIG. 3. The type of the relays for selective time indication is not restricted to rotary relays, but any other suitable relays can be used. For instance, drum switches can also be used in the water fountain clock of the present invention.

The mechanism with six rotary relays 9-1 to 9-6 will be described in further detail, as a preferred embodiment of the invention. Each of the relays 9-1 to 9-6 includes three disks, each having 25 contacts. The relay also includes a shaft concentrically extending through the three disks and having three contact arms, which selectively engages one of the electric contacts of the corresponding one of the three disks. The three contact arms of each shaft are, of course, electrically insulated from each other. The electric contacts in each disk are identified by the number of primes, for instance, 9-1', 9-1", and 9-1, respectively. In the control circuit of FIG. 2, he first groups of contacts in the rotary relays 9-1 to 9-6, namely, 9-1' to 9-6', are connected to circuits for energizing the rotary relay solenoids 9-1a to 9-6a. The second contact groups 9-1" to 9-5" of the rotary relays 9-1 to 9-5 are used for switching the power source relays 11-1 to 1l-5, of which only two relays 11-1 and 11-2 are shown in FIG. 2. The third contact groups 9-1 to 9-6 of the rotary relays 9-1 to 9-6 are used for actually controlling the solenoid valves 3-1 to 3-23, so as to correctly indicate the time at the water fountain clock.

The power source relays 11-1 to 11-5 are energized by an AC power source 15 through the last ones of the second contact groups 9-1" to 9-5" of the rotary relays 9-1 to 9-5, respectively. The sixth rotary relay 9-6 is not connected to any power source relay, but is connected to a reset relay 12. This reset relay 12 is energized by a DC power source 14, through the last ones of the first contact groups 9-1 to 9-6' of the rotary relays 9-1 to 9-6 and the power source relays ll-I to 11-5. Accordingly, it is possible to dispense with the second contact groups 9-6" in the sixth rotary relay 9-6, as shown in the figure.

Of the 25 contacts of the third group of each rotary relay, i.e., 9-1' to 9-5', the first 24 contacts are used for the indication of different time by controlling the related solenoid valves, while the 25th contact is used for transferring the negative DC voltage to the next succeeding rotary relay.

In FIG. 2. let it be assumed that the first one of the contacts 9-1" of the rotary relay 9-1 is to represent the time 12.00. Then, the succeeding contacts of the relay 9-1 represent the time from 12.05 to 1.55, and the next rotary relay 9-2 represents the time from 2.00 to 3.55. The succeeding rotary relays represent the ensuing time, and the sixth relay 9-6 represents the time from 10.00 to l 1.55.

In S-minutes after the first one of the contacts 9-1' of the first rotary relay 9-1 has indicated the time 12.00, the timer unit 7 generates a signal by actuating its contact 7', which signal is a negative DC voltage from the DC power source 14. With such signal from the timer unit 7, the solenoid 8a ofa relay 8 is energized by the DC voltage from the source 14. A capacitor 10 is connected across the solenoid 8a, for providing a delay to the operation of the relay 8, as will be described hereinafter. Upon energization of the solenoid 8a of the relay 8, its normally open contact 8 is closed. Thereby, the solenoid 9-1a of the first rotary relay 9-1 is energized by the DC power source 14, through a circuit, which traces from one terminal of the source 14, through the then closed contact 8' of the relay 8, the first one of the contact group 9-1' of the rotary relay 9-1, and a diode 18b, and back to the opposite terminal of the power source 14. Accordingly, the contact arms of the rotary relay 9-1 are gang-operated, so as to shift from the first ones of the contact group 9-1', 9-1", and 9-1, to the second ones thereof, respectively, as can easily be seen from FIG. 2. The electrostatic capacitance of the capacitor and the time constants of the related circuits are such that the solenoid 9-1a is energized for a period long enough for ensuring the aforesaid shift of the contact arms from the first ones to the second ones of the contact groups, and the solenoid 9-lla is deenergized immediately after the completion of the aforesaid shift of the contact arms to the next succeeding contacts.

In other words, each signal from the time unit 7 causes the contact arms of the rotary relay 9-1 to rotate by a predetermined angular displacement, so as to shift from the preceding ones to the next succeeding ones of the contact groups, i.e., 9-1', 9-1", and 9-1'.

When the negative DC voltage is applied to the second one of the third contact group 9-1 of the rotary relay 9-1, the water fountain clock of the invention indicates the time 12.05, as will be described hereinafter referring to the matrix circuit of FIG. 4.

Similarly, the contact arm cooperating with the contact group 9-1' shifts to the next succeeding contact in every 5 minutes, in response to the signal from the timer unit 7, until the water fountain clock indicates the time 1.55 with the third contact arm of the rotary relay 9-1 engaging the 24th one of the contact group 9-1'. Five minutes later, in response to the signal from the timer unit 7, the third contact arms of the rotary relay 9-1 shift to the 25th ones of the contact groups 9-1, 9-1", and 9-1, respectively. Thereby, the negative DC voltage at the third contact arm of the rotary relay 9-1 is transferred to the third contact arm of the second rotary relay 9-2. At this moment, the contact arms of the rotary relay 9-2 engage the first ones of the contact groups 9 -2, 9-2, and 9-2', respectively 'ljhus, the negative DC voltage is applied to e firstsns the seatsstoaup 9: o, astqirt i ate the time 2.00, as will be described hereinafter referring to the matrix circuit ofFIG. 4.

When the second contact arm of the rotary relay 9-1 comes in touch with the 25th one of the contact group 9-1", the AC voltage from the source is applied across the power source relay 11-1. Since the relay 11-1 is of time delay type, it is actuated only after a certain delay time has elapsed, and the contact 11-1, is closed upon the actuation of the relay 1 l-l itself.

When the first contact arm of the relay 9-1 comes in touch with the 25th one of the first contact group 9-1', the negative DC voltage from the source 14 through the relay contact 8' is not applied to the solenoid 9-la of the first rotary relay 9-1, but delivered to the first contact arm of the second rotary relay 9-2 through the relay contact ll-l'. The delay time of the power source relay 11-1 is so long that the timer signal, which turns the contact arms of the first rotary relay 9-1 to the 25 th ones of its contact groups, cannot close the relay contact ll-l. Accordingly, at the moment when the contact arms of the first rotary relay shift to the 25th contacts, the negative DC voltage from the source 14 through the relay contact 8 will be delivered up to the relay 11-1, but not to the first contact arm of the second rotary relay 9-2. Thus, 5 minutes after the indication of the time 1.55 by the 24th contact of the group 9-1' of the first rotary relay 9-1, the signal from the timer unit 7 causes only the contact arms of the rotary relay 9-1 to shift to the 25th contacts, while retaining the contact arms of the second rotary relay 9-2 at the first contacts, so that the time 2.00 can be indicated by the water fountain clock with the negative DC voltage being applied to the first one of the contact group 9-2' through the 25th one of the group 9-1 of the first rotary relay 9-1.

The delay time of the power source relay 11-1 is short enough for completing the circuit from the 25th contact of the group 9-1 of the first rotary relay 9-! to the first contact arm of the second rotary relay 9-2 through the relay contact 11-1, before the generation of the timer signal for the time 2.05 at the timer unit 7. Furthermore, the relay l l-! is kept as energized, as long as the second contact arm of the relay 9-1 is at the 25th contact of the group 9-1", provided that the aforesaid delay time has elapsed.

When the timer signal for the time 2.05 is generated at the timer unit 7, the relay 8 is energized, and the negative DC voltage from the source 14 is delivered to the solenoid 9-2a of the second rotary relay 9-2 through the relay contact 8'. the first contact arm and the 25th contact of the group 9-1' of the first rotary relay 9-1, the relay contact 11-1', the first contact arm and the first contact of the group 9-2' of the second rotary relay 9-2, and the diode 18b Thereby, the contact arms of the second rotary relay 9-2 are shifted from the first ones to the second ones of the groups 9-2, 9-2", and 9-2', respectively. The negative DC voltage applied to the second contact of the group 9- through the third contact arm and the 25th contact of the group 9-1', of the first rotary relay 9-] and the third contact arm of the second rotary relay 9-2, acts to indicate the time 2.05 in the water fountain clock, by means of the matrix circuit of FIG. 4.

Similarly, the contact arms of one of the rotary relays is forwarded to the next contact in every 5 minutes, for forwarding the time indication by 5 minutes, and the rotary relays are reset in every 2 hours, until the 25th contact of the group 9-6 vof the sixth rotary relay 9-6 acts to ir dicate the time ll.55.

In the next 5 minutes after 11.55, the timer signal from the timer unit 7 causes the contact arm of sixth rotary relay 9-6 to be switched to the 25th contact of the group 9-6', so as to deliver the negative DC voltage to the solenoid 12a of a reset relay 12 through the relay contact 8', rotary relays 9-1 to 9-5, power source relays 11-1 to 11-5, and the 25th contact of the group 9-6'. The relay l2 forcibly shifts the operative positions of all the contact arms of the rotary relays 9-1 to 9-6 from the 25th contacts to the first contacts of the contact groups, respectively, by applying the negative DC voltage from the source 14 to the solenoids 9-1a to 9-6a through the relay contact 12' and diodes 18a.

A capacitor 10' is incorporated in the reset relay 12, to provide a slight time delay in the operation of the relay 12, so as to ensure the reliable shift of the aforesaid operative positions of the contact arms of the rotary relays 9-1 to 9-6.

Immediately after the rotary relays 9-1 to 9-6 have resumed their initial operative positions, respectively, the negative DC voltage from the source 14 is delivered only to the first contact of the group 9-1' of the first rotary relay 9-1, but not to the other rotary relays 9-2 to 9-6. The first contact of the group with course. i a esth time 12.00.

Thus, the water fountain clock becomes ready for the next cycle of operation.

In the circuit of FIG. 2, the diodes 18a and 18b distinguishes the negative DC voltage delivered to the relays 9-1 to 9-6 in response to the timer signals from the unit 7 at 5 minute intervals from the other negative DC voltage delivered thereto in response to the actuation of the reset relay 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, a switch 13 is provided for facilitating the calibration of the time indication, relative to the standard time. The switch 13 can assume three operative positions; namely, a lock position at the left-hand side thereof, a neutral position at the central portion thereof, and a forwarding position at the right-hand side thereof where it is biased toward the neutral position. At the neutral position, the circuit through the switch 13 is interrupted. The electric circuit of the water fountain clock, as shown in FIG. 2, is such that every time the switch 13 is turned rightward to the forwarding position, as seen in the FIGURE, the operative position of the rotary relays 9-1 to 9-6 is forwarded by one contact, regardless of the operation of the timer unit 7.

In other words, if the water fountain clock is set to indicate a certain time, with the switch kept at the neutral position, and

when the standard time coincides with the time thus indicated, the switch 13 can be turned toward the left to the lock position. Then, the entire water fountain clock will automatically indicate correct time under the control of the timer unit 7.

Fine adjustment or calibration of the timer unit 7 can be carried out while keeping the switch 13 at its neutral position. When the exact standard time coincides with the particular time indicated by the water fountain clock, the switch 13 can be turned to the left to the lock position. The water fountain clock will then indicate the accurate time, under the control of the timer unit 7.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, there are provided a switch 13, a DC power source 14, and an AC power source 15, which fulfill the same functions as those of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates, in a simplified form, an embodiment of the control circuit for selectively actuating the solenoid valves 3-1 to 3-23 in response to the negative DC voltage at the contacts 9-1 to 9-6 of the rotary relays 9-1 to 9-6. In this embodiment, a plurality of diodes 18 are used to form a matrix circuit.

A similar matrix circuit may be used with the contacts 9-7 of the rotary relay 9-7, as shown in FIG. 3, but the modification of the circuit of FIG. 4 to the rotary relay 9-7 is apparent tothose skilled in the art, and its details will not be dealt with here.

The solenoid valves 3-1 to 3-23 in FIG. 4 correspond to the similarly numbered solenoid valves of FIG. 1. For simplicitys sake, solenoid valves 3-3, 3-4, 3-9, 3-14, and 3-15 are not shown in FIG. 4. Relays 16-1 to 16-23 are connected to the matrix circuit, and the normally open contacts of the relays 16-1 to 16-23 are connected in series to the solenoid valves 3-1 to 3-23, respectively.

' In order to protect the normally open contacts of the relays 16-1 to 16-23 from counter voltages generated in the solenoid valves 3-1 to 3-23 during the operation, contact-protecting elements 17-1 to 17-23 are connected across the normally open contacts of the relays 16-1 to 16-23. The protecting elements 17-1 to 17-23 consist of varisters, resistors, capacitors, or suitable combinations thereof.

Now, let it be assumed that the negative DC voltage at the first contact of the group 9-1' of the first rotary relay 9-1 (FIG. 2) acts to indicate the time 12.00 in the water fountain clock. In FIG. 1, for indicating the time 12.00, solenoid valves 3-1, 3-2, 3-5 to 3-8, 3-10 to 3-13, 3-16 to 3-18, and 3-20 must be actuated to pass water therethrough. To this end, it is necessary in the circuit of FIG. 4 to energize the relays 16-1, 16-2, 16-5 to 16-8, 16-10 to 16-13, 16-16 to 16-18, and 16-20, while deenergizing the remaining relays connected to the solenoid valves.

In FIG. 4, the horizontal line connected to the first one of the contact group 9-1' of the rotary relay 9-1 is joined, through diodes 18, to vertical lines connected to those relays which are necessary for the indication of the time 12.00; namely, the relays 16-1, 16-2, 16-5 to 16-8, 16-10 to 16-13, 16-16 to 16-18, and 16-20. Accordingly, upon delivery of the negative DC voltage to the first contact of the group 9-1, the last mentioned relays are actuated, and the solenoid valves 3-1, 3-2, 3-5 to 3-8, 3-10 to 3-13, 3-16 to 3-18, and 3-20 are actuated from the AC power source, so as to eject water columns from the nozzle groups 1-1, 1-2, l-S to 1-8, 1-10 to l-13, 1-16 to 1-18, and 1-20, which water columns represent the FIGURES 12.00, provided that the manual valve 2-24 is open.

The solenoid valves 3-21 to 3-23 are for adjusting the height of water columns digitally indicating the time. In the illustrated embodiment, the relays 16-21 to 16-23 for actuating the solenoid valves 3-21 to 3-23 are connected to vertical lines, which are in turn joined, through diodes, to the horizontal lines connected to suitable contacts of the groups 9-1' to 9-6" v of the rotary relays 9-1 to 9-6. Thereby, the water discharged into the pond through the solenoid valves 3-21 to 3-23 at'suitable time intervals, so as to maintain the height of the water columns at a suitable level throughout the entire time-indicating cycle of the water fountain. Thus, the time indication of the water fountain is kept easily readable and aesthetically attractive.

In 5 minutes after the indication of the time 12.00, the indication should be shifted to the time 12.05. To effect such shifting of the time indication, the horizontal line connected to the second contact of the group 9-1' of the rotary relay 9-1 is joined, through diodes 18, to the vertical lines connected to those relays which are necessary for actuating solenoid valves for indicating the time 12.05; namely, the relays 16-1, 16-2, 16-5 to 16-8, 16-10 to 16-13, 16-16, 16-17, 16-19, and 16-20. Consequently, upon delivery of the negative DC voltage to the second contact of the group 9-1, the solenoid valves 3-1, 3-2, 3-5 to 3-8, 3-10 to 3-13, 3-16, 3-17, 3-19, and 3-20 are actuated, for indicating the time 12.05.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, which includes illuminating means. In the figure, a water fountain means 19 according to the present invention is disposed in a pond 20, and a plurality of lamp groups 23 are disposed along the periphery of the pond 20. The lamp groups 23 can b either underwater lamps or lamps above the water level, as shown in FIG. 5. The illuminating lamp groups 23 will further improve the aesthetic value of the water fountain clock.

FIG. 6 illustrates a simple example of the circuit for actuating the lamp groups 23. In the figure, a flasher, or a timer 21 periodically actuates a relay 22, which controls the illumination of the lamp groups 23.

It is also possible to use lamp groups of different coloring, so that the water fountain clock may be illuminated in different colors at different times, so as to add a variety to the appearance of the water fountain.

The control circuits of FIGS. 2 and 3 are directed to a water fountain clock of 12 hour cycle. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the control circuit of FIGS. 2 and 3 can easily be modified for 24 hour cycle clock, simply by doubling the size and capacity of the control circuit. In addition to the nozzle groups 1-1 to 1-21, valves 2-] to 2-24, and solenoid valves 3-1 to 3-23 of FIG. 1, the 24 hour cycle indication necessitates the use of an additional nozzle group 1-22 being controlled by an additional manual valve 2-25 and an additional solenoid valve 3-25, as shown in FIG. 7. The last mentioned additional nozzle group and the valves are to facilitate the indication of a numeral 2 in the first place of the four-digit time indication.

In the case of 24 hour cycle indication, the illuminating means can be controlled by the matrix circuit of FIG. 4, instead of the separate illumination control circuit of FIG. 6. The matrixlike control circuit can provide more sophisticated illumination control.

The water fountain clock of the present invention has been described by referring to an embodiment, which indicates the time at 5 minute intervals, but the intervals of the time indication is not restricted to 5 minutes. In fact any suitable interval can be used with the water fountain clock of the invention. For instance, the time indication by the water fountain of the invention can be shifted every minute, by replacing the three nozzle groups 1-18 to 1-20 of FIG. 2 with eight nozzle groups corresponding to 1-2 to l-9, so that any one of the numerals 0 to 9 can be indicated at the place of 10 minute, instead of only the manual 0 to 5. For the indication of every 1 minute, it is, of course, necessary to modify the timer 7, relays 9-1 to 9-6, manual and solenoid valves, and other related electrical mechanical parts.

Since the modifications of the aforesaid embodiment for the 1 minute interval indication is apparent to those skilled in the art, the details of such modification will not be discussed here.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the nozzle groups for indicating the time numerals is controlled by one solenoid valve, respectively. The number of solenoid valves per nozzle group, however, can be increased to a suitable number, depending on the configuration and the size of the nozzle group.

When one or more illuminating lamp groups are used, it should be noted that the individual lamps must be small. If the lamps are too large, for instance if 100-volt 100-watt incandescent lamps are used, such lamps impress viewers-more strongly than the water columns of the water fountain, to deteriorate its attractiveness.

The control circuit of the water fountain clock can be located at any suitable position, e.g., underneath the water fountain pond, or in a convenient building in the proximity of the pond. In a typical installation, the control circuit is mounted in a cabinet spaced from the pond by about 50 meters.

Solenoid valves are used for the control of the time indication, in the illustrated embodiment. It should be noted that any other suitable flow control mans, such as motor-pump assemblies, can also be used in the water fountain clock of the invention for the control of time-indicating water columns.

As shown in the foregoing disclosure, according to the present invention, there is provided a water fountain clock, which can be conveniently installed in a public gardens, private gardens, such as hotel gardens, and the like. The water fountain clock of the present invention not only informs the viewers of the time, but also provides attractive surroundings to a public area.

What is claimed is:

1. A water fountain clock, comprising four groups of water nozzles, each group selectively ejecting water columns in the form of one of numerals 0 to 9, flow control means being connected to said groups of water nozzles, an electric control circuit, and a timer generating output signals relating to time, said control circuit regulating the flow control means in response to the output signals from the timer for ejecting water columns representing numerals indicative of the time.

2. A water fountain clock according to claim 1, wherein said flow control means are solenoid valves.

3. A water fountain clock according to claim 1, wherein saidflow control means are motor-pump assemblies.

4. A water fountain clock according to claim 1, wherein said timer generates an output signal in every 5 minutes, so that the time indication by the water columns advances in every 5 minutes.

5. A water fountain clock according to claim 1, and further including a plurality of lamps for illuminating the water columns.

6. A water fountain clock according to claim 1 wherein said timer generates an output signal every minute, so that the time indication by the water columns advances every minute.

n: =0: w 0: a: 

1. A water fountain clock, comprising four groups of water nozzles, each group selectively ejecting water columns in the form of one of numerals 0 to 9, flow control means being connected to said groups of water nozzles, an electric control circuit, and a timer generating output signals relating to time, said control circuit regulating the flow control means in response to the output signals from the timer for ejecting water columns representing numerals indicative of the time.
 2. A water fountain clock according to claim 1, wherein said flow control means are solenoid valves.
 3. A water fountain clock according to claim 1, wherein said flow control means are motor-pump assemblies.
 4. A water fountain clock according to claim 1, wherein said timer generates an output signal in every 5 minutes, so that the time indication by the water columns advances in every 5 minutes.
 5. A water fountain clock according to claim 1, and further including a plurality of lamps for illuminating the water columns.
 6. A water fountain clock according to claim 1, wherein said timer generates an output signal every minute, so that the time indication by the water columns advances every minute. 